What is the best age to take your child to Disney World?

"When should I take my child to Walt Disney World?' is one of the most common questions I get as a Travel Advisor. It's no secret a trip to Disney can be pricey, so it makes sense that families ask this question. I wish there was a magic age that is the "perfect" age to go, but it's not that simple. In this article, I will hopefully  give you enough information that you can decide what age is best for your child and your family's needs.  

I will start off by saying, I have taken my son to Disney at the ages of 3 months, 1 year, 1.5 years, 2 years, and 3 years old.  While we had a great time on all five visits, they were all very different.  The first thing to consider is how your child naps. My little guy was a great stroller napper....until we went to Disney. We thought we could rely on a stroller nap, but he was too interested in everything going on around him.  It wasn't until he was 3 that he would nap in the stroller in the parks. This meant we had to head back to the hotel midday. We normally do this, so it wasn't a problem. We did learn that a room with a balcony was absolutely worth the extra money. My husband and I were able to sit on the balcony and talk during the long nap. You know your child better than anyone and if you have trouble traveling or don't want the added stress, I would consider waiting until you are down to one nap a day. 

The second thing to consider are your vacation habits. If you travel a lot and prefer other types of vacations, you may only plan on going to Disney a couple of times while your kids are young. If you absolutely know this is a once or twice in a lifetime trip, you will want to consider the height requirements. The big jump for rides in the Disney Parks is 40 inches. Once your child hits 40 inches, you can add nine more rides to your agenda. This can make a huge difference in your plans! And if you want to wait until your child can ride everything, the tallest height requirement is 48 inches. 

I am a true believer that you can bring your child to Walt Disney World at any age. I have watched my son light up at the first sight of Mickey and have had a blast running around with him on the playgrounds. I heard him belly laugh for the first time on The Barnstormer. I know some people say they won't remember these trips, but I promise you I will never forget them.